Ashford Town Football Club placed under suspension by the FA

01 July 2010

By Alex Hoad

Ashford Town have been suspended
from all football by the Football Association with immediate
effect.

In proceedings separate to the ongoing High Court battle between
directors Tony Betteridge and Don Crosbie, the FA have imposed
sanctions on the club for failure to pay loan fees of more than
£2,000 to Ebbsfleet United.

The fees are understood to be
linked to the loans of youngsters Steven Springett and Jamie
Forshaw early last season.

An FA spokesman confirmed the
sanctions meant that the club was barred from participating in all
competitions, including friendly games, at all levels including
youth football.

The sanctions will remain in place
until proof is provided that the debt has been settled.

The spokesman added: "The position
can change quickly. As soon as the debt is paid, the matter can be
considered and the sanctions removed.

"The club was initially placed
under a registration embargo and were given a deadline of the day
before the league’s annual meeting (on June 19) to pay the
debts."

Mr Betteridge claimed: "The only
way the club can start the season will be if Mr Crosbie settles the
debt with Ebbsfleet."

Ashford also owed money to Dover
but that sum has been settled.

Chairman of the Ryman League Alan
Turvey confirmed: "The non-payment is an FA offence and not a Ryman
League one but for the time being, the club is suspended from all
football.

"They were included in the league’s
constitution at the annual meeting, despite knowledge of the
offence.

"We don’t want to lose Ashford, nor
any team, from the league but if they are still in problems, then
they will not be allowed to start the season."

Ashford’s first friendly is at
Folkestone on July 27 with the Ryman League campaign due to start
on August 21.